Penguins hand slumping Kings their 5th consecutive loss

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Los Angeles Kings Goalie Jonathan Quick(32) keeps his eye on the puck as Pittsburgh Riley Sheahan(15) moves during the second period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

Los Angeles Kings Anze Kopitar(11) battles for the puck against Pittsburgh Riley Sheahan(15) during the first period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

Los Angeles Kings Derek Forbort(24) keeps the puck out front against Pittsburgh during the first period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

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Los Angeles Kings Goalie Jonathan Quick(32) makes a block against Pittsburgh during the second period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

Pittsburgh’s Casey DeSmith(1) makes a block on goal against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. Pittsburgh went on to win 3-1 over the Los Angeles Kings. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

Los Angeles Kings Goalie Jonathan Quick(32) keeps his eye on the puck as Pittsburgh Riley Sheahan(15) moves during the second period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

Los Angeles Kings Derek Forbort(24) keeps the puck out front against Pittsburgh during the first period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

Los Angeles Kings Goalie Jonathan Quick(32) keeps his eye on the puck against Pittsburgh during the second period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. Pittsburgh went on to win 3-1 over the Los Angeles Kings. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

The Los Angeles Kings Kevin Gravel(53) battles for the puck against Pittsburgh at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Daily News/SCNG)

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates after the puck with Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on January 18, 201 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: Nick Shore #21 of the Los Angeles Kings look for a rebound with Kris Letang #58 and Casey DeSmith #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Staples Center on January 18, 201 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles Kings looks for a rebound behind Jamie Oleksiak #6 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Staples Center on January 18, 201 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings is knocked off balance by Brian Dumoulin #8 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Staples Center on January 18, 201 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — When a hockey team is on a losing streak, the last thing it needs is to give up goals early in a period.

That’s what happened to the Kings on Thursday. They gave up very early goals in the first and third periods, and were defeated 3-1 by the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins before a sellout crowd of 18,230 at Staples Center.

It wasn’t long ago that the Kings were sitting pretty in the standings, leading the Pacific Division and the Western Conference in points. But things began to change in mid-December and now the Kings (24-16-5, 53 points) have lost five in a row and are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

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Patric Hornqvist scored his 14th and 15th goals for the Penguins (25-20-3, 53 points). His first of the night came just 46 seconds into the game on a long shot goalie Jonathan Quick should stop every time.

The Kings tied the score 1-1 on Adrian Kempe’s 14th goal of the season at 14:10 of the second period. But Evgeni Malkin scored his 21st just 26 seconds into the third for a 2-1 Penguins lead.

“Well, the first one was tough,” Kings coach John Stevens said. “I mean, those type of goals don’t go in very often. I thought we got off to a really good start, so started chasing the game against a really good hockey team. It’s the funny thing about hockey, when you’re playing catch-up, it takes a lot of energy.”

The Kings lost one of their best offensive players less than seven minutes into the third period when Dustin Brown was called for boarding Justin Schultz, who went down to the ice in a heap. The penalty was five minutes and Brown was also given a game misconduct.

The Kings killed all but 1:20 of the power play, but Hornqvist scored his second of the night and 15th of the season at 10:21 for a 3-1 Penguins lead.

Brown didn’t think he deserved the severity of the penalty.

“I’m going to close on him, he stumbles, toe picks and I don’t drive him through the wall or anything,” Brown said. “But I also close in on the play. At most, it’s probably a two-(minute penalty), I think.”

Brown acknowledged frustration is beginning to rear its head.

“I mean, it’s definitely there,” he said. “If you’re not frustrated, there’s something wrong with you. But just trying to channel that frustration into positive energy you can use to win games.”

Like Brown, defenseman Drew Doughty conceded this team is becoming increasingly bummed out about what’s been happening of late.

“We’re obviously pretty down on ourselves right now,” he said. “We want to turn it around as soon as we possibly can and that’ll start tomorrow night.”

The Kings play the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center.

Casey DeSmith made 28 saves for Pittsburgh in his first game since Dec. 9. He is backing up Tristan Jarry while Matt Murray is on personal leave following the death of his father.

“I thought Case was terrific,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He made some big saves for us, especially in that first period to give us an opportunity to get our legs underneath us.”

The Kings out-shot Pittsburgh 11-3 in the first period; the Penguins out-shot the Kings 31-29 for the game.
Pittsburgh has won five of six, but was coming off a 5-3 loss to the Ducks on Wednesday.